Yasuko Nakagawa Purvis' Obituary
Yasuko Nakagawa Purvis, 86, went to be with her Lord Jesus on August 4, 2014. Her devotion to her family and friends, and her firm belief in God supported her in her recent health struggles and ultimately gave her complete peace during her last few years on earth. Yasuko was born on February 10, 1928, in Osaka, Japan to the late Masao and Kazue Nakagawa. She married Oscar Norman Purvis of Mobile, AL in 1951 in Tokyo, Japan, and then relocated with Oscar to the United States in 1954. Yasuko raised two boys and a beloved grandson, and was well known in the Mobile area for her abilities as a seamstress. Also an excellent cook, for a number of years she owned and ran a Chinese restaurant in the area, and she especially enjoyed bringing special dishes to the International Festival each year. She was a member of Christ Anglican Church, and often helped with dinners, pot lucks and other events over the years. She traveled back to Japan several times during her life to visit her parents, sister and brother. She often visited her son Karl and his family in Berryton, KS and also traveled with them over the last several years to a number of places in Missouri and Florida. She loved surprise visits from her grandson, Adam, and she especially enjoyed her last few years spending time with her sister, Kasuko. Yasuko was preceeded in death by her parents and husband. She is survived by her son Jimmy Purvis (and wife Barbie) of Mobile, AL, Karl Purvis (and wife Jenifer) of Berryton, KS, grandsons Adam Purvis of Burmingham, AL and Matthew Purvis of Manhattan, KS, and granddaughter Kelsey Purvis of Topeka, KS. Also surviving are her sisters, Kazuko Krause of Mobile, AL and Motoko Okugawa of Kyoto, Japan, and brother, Tomio Nakagawa of Osaka, Japan. She also leaves behind two great-grandchildren, Vassar Purvis of Panama City, FL and Mary Cassidy Purvis of Montecello, AL. A Memorial Service celebrating Yasuko’s life will be held on Saturday, August 9th at 10:00 a.m. at Serenity Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home, 8691 Old Pascagoula Rd, Theodore, AL 36582. Reverend Jon Holland will officiate the service.
What’s your fondest memory of Yasuko?
What’s a lesson you learned from Yasuko?
Share a story where Yasuko's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Yasuko you’ll never forget.
How did Yasuko make you smile?